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How to Start a Cupcake Business From Home

Cupcakes are the new cake. Everywhere you turn, pastry chefs
are turning cupcakes into works of art, even creating much larger cakes
out of tiny ones. If this is something you know how to do, or are
willing to dedicate some time to learning, then starting a cupcake
business of your own could prove to be lucrative and fun.

Step 1
Develop your
recipes and your decorating skills. Take classes in decorating if you
haven't already, and look online and in books to inspire yourself with
new and interesting designs. Your cupcakes must look amazing to get
people to order them, but they also must taste great, so be sure that
your recipes are interesting and unique. Don't rule out classic
varieties, as sometimes a chocolate cupcake with white buttercream
frosting is a perfect treat.

Step 2
Check with your local department of health
as well as your state department of health or agriculture and find out
if your state allows you to sell things baked in a home kitchen. You
might have to rent a commercial kitchen to bake cupcakes for sale.
Churches and schools often rent out kitchens inexpensively if you can't
find a restaurant willing to rent you some time in their kitchen.

Step 3
Create a variety
of cupcakes, take pictures and then create your promotional materials.
Come up with a name for your cupcake business and design a logo around
it. Place the logo on your business cards,
in a brochure and on your website. Engage an experienced web designer
who can translate your culinary vision into a website. Use your pictures
to tell the story of your cupcakes, but also describe them well.

Step 4
Find sufficient packaging materials.
You will need to make sure your cupcakes get where they are going
safely. If you are selling locally, make sure you offer boxes and bags
people can carry themselves easily. If you are selling online, find a
source of boxes that you can use to ship your cupcakes safely. Be sure
to place a label with your logo and contact information including website address
on all of your packaging. Be clear, also, as to what ingredients are in
the cupcakes and whether your equipment comes into contact with nuts as
this can be a potentially deadly allergen to some.

Step 5
Launch your
business. Whether you are opening a simple online business, or are
taking your cupcakes to fairs, festivals and farmers' markets, launch
your business with a party and lots of free samples. No one will be
willing to spend up to $4--as some bakeries get--each on your cupcakes
if they haven't seen and tried one yet. Get folks to give you a
testimonial about how wonderful your cupcakes are. You can use these
quotes on your website to help persuade those who haven't been able to
try one yet to buy.

Step 6
Promote your
business. Use social media outlets, such as Facebook, Twitter and Linked
In, to update friends and customers on new recipes, new ideas,
promotions and more. Offer gift certificates or gift baskets as prizes
for local organizations' charity events and raffles. Word-of-mouth is
key to building a business with a good reputation. Don't be stingy when
it comes to helping out good causes.